At the end of Sophocles' Antigone, Creon is devastated by the tragic deaths of Antigone, his son Haemon, and his wife Eurydice, all of whom commit suicide. Creon acknowledges his responsibility for these deaths and is overwhelmed by grief, transforming from a confident ruler to a sorrowful man who prays for death, contemplating suicide.

Creon's decision in Antigone is to deny Polyneices a proper burial. He declares that Polyneices, who fought against Thebes, should be left unburied as a traitor, exposed to the elements and scavengers, as a warning to others. This decree sets the central conflict of the play in motion, as Antigone defies Creon's order to honor her brother with a proper burial.

In Antigone, Creon's mistakes were to forbid the burial of Polynices, an act which is hateful to the gods, and to then order Antigone's death by entombment. Teiresias warns Creon to change course, stating that the gods will punish him if he does not, and that Creon will suffer greatly as a result.

Lines showing Creon's misogyny highlight his insecurity and flawed leadership. He views Antigone's defiance as a threat, fearing that if she remains unpunished, he would be seen as "womanish," equating weakness with femininity. His statement, "No woman shall be the master while I live," underscores his need to assert dominance over women. Additionally, Creon's personification of Anarchy as female reveals deep-seated fears and bias, reflecting his inability to recognize his own role in creating chaos.

Creon views women as inherently inferior, reflecting the norms of ancient Greece, where women's roles were confined to the home. Antigone's defiance of his orders not only challenges his authority as king but also threatens his masculinity and societal gender roles. Creon's reaction, including ordering Antigone's execution, is an assertion of male dominance and sovereignty. Antigone's actions contrast with traditional gender expectations, which Creon perceives as a societal threat.

Sophocles uses indirect characterization to develop the personality of Creon through the arrogant tone he adopts when talking to the prophet Tiresias. Although Tiresias is widely respected, Creon is so stubborn and set in his ways that he treats him with contempt.

In his conversation with Haemon, Creon reveals tragic flaws of rigidity and insecurity. He demands blind obedience from Haemon, reflecting his authoritarian nature and fear of losing control as the new king. Creon believes that allowing family rebellion would undermine his rule. Regarding Ismene, Creon dismisses her as lacking intelligence and character, indicating his misogynistic views. He criticizes both Antigone for defiance and Ismene for obedience, highlighting his flawed perception of women.

Creon is justified in denying Polyneices' burial due to his duty to the kingdom, viewing Polyneices as a traitor who attacked Thebes. As king, Creon prioritizes state law over family ties. When Antigone defies this decree, Creon shows some leniency due to familial connections, questioning her motivations. However, her persistent defiance forces Creon to uphold his authority and the law, justifying his actions to maintain respect and control as king.

Creon demonstrates his loyalty to Thebes by prioritizing the city's interests over familial ties. In his first speech, he emphasizes the importance of state integrity and dismisses nepotism, stating that a ruler must not place friends or family above the state. By refusing to bury Polynices, whom he deems a traitor, and treating Antigone, his son's fiancée, without favoritism, Creon believes he is acting patriotically to maintain law and order.

In Sophocles' Antigone, Creon undergoes significant character development, shifting from a stubborn, authoritarian ruler to a tragic figure who gains wisdom too late. Initially, Creon prioritizes state laws over divine laws, refusing burial rites for Polynices and punishing Antigone. His hubris leads to personal tragedy, including the deaths of his son Haemon and wife Eurydice. Influenced by the prophet Tiresias and the Chorus, Creon eventually recognizes his errors, but his transformation comes at a devastating cost, highlighting themes of pride, power, and divine justice.

In Sophocles' Antigone, King Creon decrees that Eteocles will receive a military burial for defending Thebes, while Polynices, deemed a traitor for attacking the city, will remain unburied. This decree punishes anyone who attempts to bury Polynices with death by stoning. The play questions the justice of Creon's law, highlighting opposition from Antigone, Tiresias, and others who argue for a higher moral law and criticize Creon's stubbornness and self-interest. The decree is portrayed as unjust, petty, and contrary to divine will.

In "Antigone," Creon values obedience to civil law and the protection of the nation, equating his laws with state supremacy. Antigone prioritizes loyalty to family and observance of religious law, defying Creon's edict to honor her brother's burial rights. Both characters are driven by the protection of personal dignity, with their stubborn adherence to principles leading to alienation and tragedy. Their unyielding stances underscore the play's central conflict.